What is the minimum size breaker for this welder???????

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duster360

duster360

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Primary amps is 37. I think a 40a double pole would be the very minimum. I would probably use a 50a. myself.
 
most 220 volt welders. stick style use 50 amp breaker, and 50 amp recepts
 
Bodyperson said:
Sorry, I should have been more specific. I am referring to the wire size of the building being able to support a 50 amp breaker.
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I see your point now. I had it hooked up when I first got it home and it burned good on the few test passes I made. I think I may have had a 50 amp breaker on it but I couldn't remember for sure. I have had this welder for a long time an mostly use my mig welder. I need to hook this one up to make 4 passes to weld the spring perches on my 8 3/4, then it will most likely sit there unused for a while again. It was free and had everthing with it so it doesn't bother me much that it just sits there. But it is there when I need it.
 
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duster360 said:
I see your point now. I had it hooked up when I first got it home and it burned good on the few test passes I made. I think I may have had a 50 amp breaker on it but I couldn't remember for sure. I have had this welder for a long time an mostly use my wire welder. I need to hook this one up to make 4 passes to weld the spring perches on my 8 3/4, then it will most likely sit there unused for a while again. It was free and had everthing with it so it doesn't bother me much that it just sits there. But it is there when I need it.
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It is a strange looking welder. Never seen one like it but I'm not well rehearsed in the old stick welding world. I'm kind of a spoiled mig welder. Lol
 
I'd be tempted to do a 40 amp, maybe 45 amp double pole breaker. Granted the welding outlet is rated at 50 amp, nothing says that you can't down size the feed to it; wire size is very important, especially the further away from the breaker your out let is. Breakered at 50 amp, you could be pulling up to 4AWG size wire if your breaker panel is any distance from where you have your out let, at a minimum I'd use 8AWG size wire at 40 amp.

Remember the breaker is protecting the wire of the circuit and therefore your house, not the welder.
 
My garage is part of the house. The breaker box is just on the other side of the wall. 4 foot up the wall and 4 foot right back down is all the wire being used to hook up the welder to the breaker box. The welder and air compressor will be the only thing on that breaker. They will not be used at the same time.
 
How is the wire being run? Conduit or Romex? I believe that #8 thhn can be on a 50A breaker, where as #8 Romex is limited to 40A. Got an electric dryer? If you're only going to use it a few times might plug it in there.
 
SIX225 said:
How is the wire being run? Conduit or Romex? I believe that #8 thhn can be on a 50A breaker, where as #8 Romex is limited to 40A. Got an electric dryer? If you're only going to use it a few times might plug it in there.
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Electrician here.

Dryer might work depending on heat settings. Most dryer plugs are only 30a though.
 
For doing those four very small welds just take it to a shop. They probably won't even charge you and then you don't have the expense of buying breakers and also the possible expense of burning your house down...?
 
4mulas said:
For doing those four very small welds just take it to a shop. They probably won't even charge you and then you don't have the expense of buying breakers and also the possible expense of burning your house down...?
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I did the very same thing. I spot welded the perches to the tubes and hauled it down to a muffler shop that does tow hitches too. I asked the guy if he would stitch them up for a six pack, and he told me he dont drink but a 20 would cover it. Well spent.....My little MIG would not be trusted for its penetration or lack of. I did stick another housing but I didnt have any more rods so I went the pro route and came out with some perfect beads.
 
Some handiwork
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from a friend that does Rat Rod pickups.
 
swifty said:
What size plug and cord are on it now?
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Has a 50 AMP plug. I picked up a 50 amp breaker. Now I just need to make sure of what gauge wire to use. I only need 8 feet or so.
 
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If using NB cable (Romex) #8. If using thhn wire in emt #10. This will cover 100% duty cycle. If only 50% u could go a size smaller with no worry. Had to look up in code book. At work everything is 480v 3 phase. We usually run #10, covers most welders.
 
duster360 said:
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HI to size wire and breakers you multiply your rating by 1.25% because you never exceed 80 rating on your feeders this is so you dont overheat your wires. #8 wire is rated at 55 amps and #6 wire is rated at 75 amps for your welder I would use # 6 wire minimum and a 50 amp breaker. I am a licensed elfor 32 years good luck.
 
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